COVELO >> The Upper Lake Cougars did a pretty good job of overcoming Round Valley in the first half. In the end, they couldn”t overcome their inexperience, falling 56-51 to the Warriors in the season opener for both of these varsity boys” basketball teams on Friday night in Covelo.
“Our inexperience showed down the stretch,” Upper Lake first-year coach Justin Dutcher said.
Round Valley scored 18 points in each of the final two quarters — surging ahead with an 18-10 third period — to erase a 23-20 halftime deficit.
“We led most of the first half,” Dutcher said. “We didn”t look too bad.”
Upper Lake”s 10-man roster has two seniors, only one with experience, as well as four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.
Jesse Campanero led a balanced Upper Lake scoring effort with nine points and the team”s freshman, Cody Rybolt, added eight points. Isaiah Garcia, Francisco Flores and Jonathan Sparks chipped in with seven points apiece.
Upper Lake (0-1) is off until Dec. 4 when the Cougars play tournament host Kelseyville in the opening round of the 43rd annual Stokes Invitational at Kelseyville High School. Tip-off is 10:30 a.m.
